Best Large Format Scanners in 2023 – For Your Documents & Artworks Scanning

The best large-format scanner is one that can scan the document at an efficient scanning speed. There are no specific brands of scanners that are better than others, as long as they have the necessary features to make it easier to scan a document. Large format scanning is needed for those who need to scan large scale images, such as paintings and architectural plans.

There are a lot of different scanners that are currently available on the market. So, which one is the best scanner for scanning large scale images? Let’s take a look at some of the most popular scanners that can help you get better images of your work.

Choosing the best large format scanner in 2023 for your professional needs – If you’ve been frustrated by sifting through various user reviews, internet forums, Reddit threads, and Quora questions in search of the best large format scanner that can meet all of your requirements, this page could be your ideal respite. We have heard a lot of requests from our readers for a scanning beast that can fill in the gaps between quality, affordability, and productivity. But then, we urge you not to judge us for bringing in the term “affordability” here. Usually, large-format scanning devices are a bit on the pricier side. However, we did our best to select them within various budgets where possible.

For your artwork, document scanning, etc., the Best Large Format Scanners in 2023 will be:

As usual, we have written a detailed buying guide at the end of this post with the crests and troughs that are to be considered while picking an ideal guy who does the job right. With our guide, buying the best large format scanners can no longer be a conundrum for you. With that said, let us not waste another minute. I wish we could play a heroic BGM as we introduce our noblemen to you.

#1. Epson E11000XL-GA- Best Large Format Scanner for Graphic Artworks and Photo Scanning

The device also boasts the AutoFocus optics system with which the focus of the scans is automatically detected and adjusted to yield optimum scan quality. When it comes to connectivity, the device only has a USB port to be interfaced with an external computer. There’s nothing to complain about the connectivity as the wireless technology on a scanner doesn’t make much of a sense.

Features of – Epson E11000XL-GA Expression Graphic Arts Photo Scanner

Technical Specifications, Pros & Cons of Epson E11000XL-GA

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#2. Epson Perfection V850 Pro- Best power-packed yet pro-quality Large Format Scanner

This nifty device comes loaded with Digital ICE Technology that cleans-up old films and photos to bring them back to life. It offers excellent tone reproduction with 4.0 DMax optical density. The Epson Perfection V850 is a Good Large-Format Flatbed Scanner is one of the most versatile options available on the market. Compared to most other products in its line-up, this device offers a way more value to your hard-earned money.

Features of -Epson Perfection V850 Pro

Technical Specification, Pros & Cons of – Epson Perfection V850 Pro Scanning Model

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#3. HP ScanJet Pro 2500 f1- Best Flatbed Large Format Scanner with Auto Document Feeder (ADF)

The software department of this scanner is designed really well. Extracting text from your scans (OCR Support) is a cakewalk with this nifty device. The device boasts a 1200 dpi resolution which is adequate for scanning documents and can yield better photo quality. However, you cannot expect this scanner to do wonders, especially if digitizing photos is your only need.

Features Of – HP ScanJet Pro 2500 f1 Flatbed Scanner

Technical Specifications, Pros & Cons of HP ScanJet Pro 2500 f1

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#4. Epson WorkForce DS-50000-Best Large Format Flatbed Document Scanner

The device comes with an optional Network Scan Module which enables wireless functionality to scan remotely. It also comes with a bunch of other software that can extract text from your scanned documents (OCR) and make your documents searchable. That means you can search the documents using their contents. This feature really comes handy when you have a heck lot of scanned stuff and you wish to find one in specific.

Features of Epson DS-50000 – Large Format Flatbed Document Scanner

Technical Specifications, Pros & Cons of Epson WorkForce DS-50000

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#5. Epson Expression 12000XL-PH- Best Professional large-format scanning Scanner

It can scan at a resolution of 2400 x 4800 dpi and has a 3.8 Dmax for brilliant clarity and detail. Above everything, the device is very user-friendly, and setting it up doesn’t take much time. Easy Photo Fix® technology offers one-touch restoration for faded color photos and negatives — plus automatic dust removal and grain reduction.

Features of – Epson Expression 12000XL-PH Flatbed Scan

Technical Specifications, Pros & Cons of – Epson Expression 12000XL-PH Flatbed Scanning Device

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#6. Xerox DocuMate 3220-Duplex, large-format Document Scanner

The device is very versatile and can accept different types of media from plastic ID cards, insurance cards to paper documents using the auto document feeder. It has an auto document feeder capacity of 80 pages which can yield greater productivity and has a duty cycle of 9000 pages a day.

Features of – Xerox DocuMate 6440 Duplex Scanner with Document Feeder

Technical SPecifications, Pros & Cons of Xerox DocuMate 6440 Duplex Scan

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Things You Need to Consider While Choosing the Best Large Format Scanners 2023-Buying Guide

Kudos for making it here! Now that you got to know what to choose, let us also understand how to choose. When it comes to Good large format scanner, a cheap 200$ machine and a beasty 3000$ machine does the same job but with many fractional differences in almost all aspects. These differences might be small but cumulatively they contribute to a greater impact as a wise man once said, Small things make perfection, but perfection isn’t a small thing. As long as we (Scanse) are live on the internet, we will not let those small things take over your perfection.

So, let us begin with understanding the things that contribute to perfection when it comes to large format scanning.

Scanner Resolution –

Resolution is the most important aspect of a scanner. The quality of your scanned document is directly proportional to its resolution. However, the resolution is further categorized into three, based on the type. The optical resolution, Hardware resolution, and the Interpolated resolution.

Pixel Depth –

We know that the image is captured in terms of pixels and we also know that the resolution means the measure of pixels horizontally and vertically. If the hardware resolution of a scanner is 1200 x 2400 dpi, it means that the sensor has captured data of 1200 horizontal pixels and 2400 vertical pixels. The data of each pixel is captured in terms of bits. Now, the number of bits of data captured for each pixel is called pixel depth. Each pixel can have two states (On or Off); therefore, the number of grayscales or colors that a scanner can recognize is computed by taking the pixel depth as an exponent of two. The chart below lists the number of colors recognized for each different scan mode.

Scan Mode	No. of colors recognized
Bi-level (1 bit per pixel)	21 = 2 colors (black and white)
8-bit grayscale	28 = 256 shades of gray
10-bit grayscale	210 = 1,024 shades of gray
8-bit color (indexed color)	28 = 256 colors
24-bit RGB (8 bits per pixel, per color)	224 = 16.7 million colors
36-bit RGB (12 bits per pixel, per color)	236 = Over 68 billion colors
48-bit RGB (16 bits per pixel, per color)	248 = Over 250 trillion colors

In simple terms, more bits means more colors and better quality in your scans.

Dynamic Range –

Dynamic range is the measurement of the difference between the lightest highlights and darkest shadows that a scanner can perceive. While going through our recommended scanners, you might have come across the term Dmax many a time. Dmax refers to the maximum density rating of an image. A high dynamic range can yield superior quality scans with detailed highlights and shadows especially when scanning transparent media.

Scanner Flexibility –

Some scanners come with special features like supporting color negatives (such as 35mm negative strips) to convert them into digital photos while some scanners only support positive transparent media, such as color transparencies and slides. Some scanners come with optional network cards while some are already equipped. Most scanners come with one-touch color restoration technology. It is entirely the user’s interest to choose a scanner for your need and liking.

Flatbed Vs Sheetfed Scanners –

The sheetfed scanners are also called Automatic Document Feeder scanners wherein the document is fed automatically into the scanner. These scanners are ideal for scanning documents and loose papers. They can handle large scan jobs like a boss. However, the sheetfed scanners are not recommended for scanning photos, images, and other graphical stuff. That is where the flatbed scanners come to play. The flatbed scanners can yield stunning scan qualities especially in the case of images and photos. But one can only scan one document at a time manually feeding them one after the other.

Scanning Speeds –

Scanning speeds do matter especially when you have to scan a lot every day. Usually, the sheetfed scanners are way faster as they come with auto document feeder technology and don’t require manually feeding documents one after the other. Just throw a bunch of documents and it does the job for you.

Connectivity –

Almost every large format scanner that you find on the market comes with a traditional USB 2.0 port. However, some models do have a provision to opt for an optional network adapter while some come with a built-in network interface. But, a wireless interface on a scanner doesn’t make much sense.

Software Tools –

Software is key for any scanner as everything the sensor reads should be soft-processed to achieve optimum quality. A bunch of other features like OCR can be incorporated using the software. From correction to cloud support, the software has everything in its bag for you. Apart from the utility software that you get with your device, there are a bunch of trusted third party software tools that can take your productivity to the next level.

Scanner Technology –

With the advancement of technology, we have been numerous iterations ahead of the crude ways used in the earlier ages. The refined technology left us with two widely used sensor technologies namely, Contact Image Sensors (CIS) and Charge Coupled Device (CCD).

Serviceability –

This is yet another important factor to be considered while looking at buying a large format scanner. Most renowned brands on the market offer wide serviceability. However, brands that have joined recently in the play have limited-service centers and support. It is advised to go with the brands which are on the market for quite some time.

FAQs: About Large Format Scanning Devices